[pianotech] key bushing problem

[David Ilvedson]

Here's what I do.   Be sure to size the hole with a thin hot hide glue wash before rebushing.  I want to be on the snug side, so I always go tighter than Bill recommends and I leave over night.   Don't use a keypin.   Use the final caul as your judge.   Go for a snug fit, not forcing into the bushed mortice but snug.   It is important to use a thick enough cloth to have a good fit with the intermediate caul.   The final caul cloth might change once you try it.   I've been doing one side on both rails before coming back to the final caul.   Remember a tighter fit is way better than too loose.   You have to experiment.   Tighter but left over night will ease up to just right...usually.   If it is too tight, I have Pianotek's brass cauls and iron to ease slightly...

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "David Love" <davidlovepianos at comcast.net>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 1/26/2010 7:52:41 PM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] key bushing problem


>You're sure you used the final caul and not the intermediate caul at the
>end?  Otherwise, I'm not sure what could happened.  The trial method you
>state is the one that works for me. 

> 

>David Love

>www.davidlovepianos.com

> 

>On Tue, Jan 26, 2010 at 8:08 PM, David Nereson <da88ve at gmail.com> wrote:

>  I rebushed a set of keys using the nylon Spurlock cauls. The pins were
>.146" so I used that size caul.  When done, the keys still wobbled laterally
>(balance rail).  This has happened a couple times now.  I had done no easing
>or ironing after removing the cauls.  Should I have used a smaller caul
>(even tho' the size I used is meant for that size pin) or thicker bushing
>cloth?  Or both?  When I initially determined what thickness cloth to use,
>by laying the trial cloth across the mortise and pushing a key pin into the
>hole, thick seemed way too tight.  Medium was just right (could be pushed
>in, but holding the key upside down, the pin would not fall out -- this is
>according to the Spurlock directions).
>  Once I steamed 'em all back out and rebushed with thicker cloth, but using
>the same cauls, and they still came out too loose (too much lateral play).
>So do you use a smaller caul than the one intended for a given size pin?
>  --David Nereson, RPT 

>